Once again, the residents of Union City have a lot to be grateful for this past year. Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Stack and the Board of Commissioners; noticeable progress continues to happen in Union City. The community feels that they have a dedicated, effective Mayor and a Board of Commissioners who are working hard on behalf of the people. Unlike other politicians, Mayor Stack works hard and gets things done on behalf of his constituents. It is not by coincidence that the people of not only Union City, but throughout the 33rd Legislative District simply admire Brian P. Stack. He is, without a doubt, a man of great integrity and cares about his city. He always said it himself “I am not perfect. But, I love what I do.” No one is perfect. But, you can rest assured that the Mayor is great at what he does.

The city of Union City is undoubtedly fortunate to have him as Mayor. Recently, the day after hurricane Sandy, we all saw the Mayor Stack himself geared up in his rain coat, wearing sneakers and heavy gloves, along side with a driver, in a Department of Public Works (DPW) pick up truck, picking up fallen trees, traffic signs, traffic lights etc. And the project would go well into the early morning hours only to start again just after a few hours of sleep. Now, if you call that politics; that is then the rig ht politics. Improvements are highly visible throughout the city. It’s always a new recreation park here and there for the kids. When the streets are not being paved, they are being swept because Mayor Stack is always striving for more and better things to be done in Union City; by any possible way he can, just to meet the need of his community. A new elementary school, the Colin Powell Elementary School has just opened its doors last September and is now educating thousands of Union City children. The North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) is always in full gear, providing the community with healthcare needs. Walking the streets in Union City today is as safe as walking in Guttenberg, where I grew up. Let’s face it; Union City today is a total different city from what it was before the current administration.

Many exciting projects are in the planning for this year. Washington Park is getting ready to expand and become a much needed athletic field surrounded by trees, bushes, flowers and shrubs. Actually, more than 500 trees are expecting to be planted throughout the city. Additional street lights will be upgraded and installed. Public safety measures such as additional traffic lights, stop signs and surveillance cameras will also be installed in some parts of the city, and much more.

Mayor Stack and the Board of Commissioners are working hard on behalf of the people. My hope for this New Year and beyond is that the leaders of neighboring municipalities, whether north or south, take a moment of reflection and look into their conscious and adapt measures that are intended to serve the people that elected them. Brian P. Stack and Union City is a clear example of that kind of initiative, where he uses imagination and common sense with one main objective. That is to put people first.